Heel Pain Is Not Created Equal

Ever been struck down with pain in the heel and assumed it’s plantar fasciitis.

Most people are surprised to find out that not all heel pain is caused by Plantar Fasciitis. Heel Pain is often not a singular problem.

Pain around the heel can occur in many different areas including under the heel, along the sides of the heel, in the fat pad, or at the back of the heel, where the Achilles Tendon attaches. Each area is unique and therefore needs to be approached differently.

Let’s delve into some of the questions a podiatrist may ask you about your heel pain to get to the bottom of it…

When does the pain occur? Is the pain worse getting out of bed in morning or after prolonged sitting? Does it hurt playing sport or is it only a problem when you’re standing for a prolonged period at work?

What types of shoes do you regularly wear? Footwear can be a big piece of the puzzle when looking at what is causing, or preventing heel pain, so it’s important for your Podiatrist to know the type of footwear you’re wearing at home, work, and when you’re playing sport.

How long has it been painful? For most people when they come into our podiatry clinic, they’ve been in pain for quite a long time! The older the injury, and depending on the cause and the location, there’s a chance some scar tissue could be present, which is compromising the injured area.

If you’re experiencing heel pain and wondering whether it could be plantar fasciitis or something else, it’s important to consider other possible causes. For more information check out blog on Heel Pain- more than Plantar Fasciitis. 

 What does a Podiatry Appointment for Heel Pain look like?

Initial Assessment & Treatment

At Heal Focus Podiatry, we always begin by taking a full and detailed assessment of the injured area first. We make sure we make the correct diagnosis and put an effective plan into place to get you back to doing what you love.

Our assessments include checking the painful area and surrounding muscles, a walking assessment, footwear check and strength testing.  

Initial treatment may involve temporary padding and strapping, which is worn for two to three days. Most patients report a reduction in pain of approximately 50%, but of course results vary from person to person. Some patients have a far greater result, while others may be less, but this is rare.  A positive result helps confirm our diagnosis and assists in tailoring a long-term treatment plan, specifically suited to the type of heel pain you present with.

Treatment Options

Because heel pain is not created equal, treatment options also vary. Some people do need to have custom made arch supports and orthotics, because their foot-type is the underlying cause, however other patients may get more relief and benefit from Shockwave Therapy, Dry Needling, Foot Mobilisation, or a combination of treatment modalities.

Regardless of the treatment plan, all patents will be given a list of instructions to follow at home to speed up recovery.

For more information, please call Heal Focus Podiatry on 0401 828 001 or book online for an appointment.